Chicago general manager Jed Hoyer and his counterpart in Oakland, Billy Beane, proved on Friday night that fireworks on the Fourth of July don’t only explode overhead, completing a massive six-player swap that has wide-sweeping ramifications on the playoff picture in both leagues.
The first-place Athletics strengthened their rotation by adding two of the best pitchers available, Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija, while the rebuilding Cubs landed a trio of youngsters—shortstop Addison Russell, outfielder Billy McKinney and starting pitcher Dan Straily (along with a player to be named later)—to build a future contender around.
It’s a deal that, on paper, seems to benefit both clubs. While it will be a few years before we can truly grasp which club came out on top, it’s never too early to take a look at the immediate winners and losers in the aftermath of the first major trade of the regular season.